Apparatus for converting edible compositions



Nov. 16, 1943. R. STbVER APPARATUS FOR CONVERTING EDIBLE COMPOSITIONSFiled March 4, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

RUSSELL STOVER.

@Q C, M v

' ATTORNEY.

Nov. 16, 1943. R. STOVER 2,334,296

APPARATUS FOR CONVERTING EDIBLE COMPOSITIONS Filed March 4, 1941 4Sheets-Sheet 2 I INVENTOR.

RUSSELL STOVER.

ATTORNEY.

Nov. 16, 1943.- R. STOVER APPARATUS FOR CONVERTING EDIBLE COMPOSITIONSFiled March 4, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet IN VENTOR. RUSSELL STOVER. BY zATTORNEY. I

R. STOVER APPARATUS FOR CONVERTING EDIBLE COMPOSITIONS Filed March 4,1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 I619 INVENTOR. RUSSELL STOVER.

arromvsk Nov. 16, 1943.

s I l I I 3 I m m w m a w m w M large mass of frozen material intoapluralitybf I filed June 10, 1938.

determined size ,-.a'nd shape with thedesired'oven. run that rangesbetween :fifty'tooue hundred per, 25

spoon. V

predetermined. mass tformation cylindrical units or small barsHlK-FigureiS): or into large masses that are hardened'by subjection tolower freezing temperatures over an extended period of time so as toenable cutting thereof into a plu- 5 ralityof small bars I approximatingthat shown in Figure 5. Usually, athatteryiof ciroularsaws. spaced apartfor sufficient dist-ance to .sever'the smaller bars H], has been foundto" be a Very 0 efficient method of producing frozen hars which arepremeasured in volume to provide a-glassful of theiresulting product ina manner to be described hereinafter; however; the predetermined unitsmay take a cylindrical shape and be'pre 15 pared in anentirely-different mannergbyrpourlng the plastic freeze into elongatedpaper containers serving as molds such asxdisclosed myoopending patentvapplioaticm SerialNumber 212,913 and 'The normally liquid :mixture'isthus subjected to refrigeration foreonversion.into selfisustaining andform-retaining units or bars l0 ofgprecent or; more and in practiceshould ayera'ge'sevs entyvper 'centiorthe best tasteiresults. themixture is, first'converted'into predetermined self-sustaining andform-retaining edible units Thesize, density and shapeof the initialedible self-sustaining and -form-retaining fll z in mass 1 0 may varydependingupon ,thedi-otates of commercial practice, and are deliuered tovendors whoare usually equippe with-t'mechanioally re- 45 frigeratedstorage cabil iets :W'kll maintain the bars or edible units Illatthedesired :treezing temperature and solid consistency :desirediowr I anextended period of time in readiness f r n01.

version upon orderhy a consumers flihe edible self-sustaining and ;f.rm-retaining to; predetermined size and forma-re then contented into adelectabl-e flowa-ble mass having apleas ing temperature preterably'though not essentially I approximating 23 -;I upon -order-;;of ,theixxm-.55 sumer' who inter ;1 ds to consmne :suoh the-Jenn, f offa'softflowable freeze at thecounterg H21 the ta p -a a Tam rn Jer 1 3 ca iouscon ertin deyioeembodying rf -eatures :of the -presenrt :60

' t ontism is n o erto thisna tiour larpurpose so as to speedily:convert;,the ions- -measured or volume of; selfisustaining; and

; form-retaining units such as the bass; Iii-into ta 7 predeterminedquantity of aplasticflowable mass :65

without impairment to or with the desired con-v- A o o th n ials-O er unhem lrzadj-usting 1 the overrun shouid commercial ,rpraotleeiso die,

tate to irnproye the texturegtaste and flavor for consumption by dn'nkingtfrom; a glass or meter: to

' v ably with the aid of a-utensil-suohasratspoon-i t The preferredemloodimentv of 1a marehine embodying ieatur-es of the; presentinvention; and nob ee n i m nss t e m thod of'flonver ting normallyliquid substanees rrozen to a zsubstan U5 assume tially solid. stateinto-a flowable plastici'mass'pose" i l sessed of the desiredoverruninacoordalzioe.with;'v the teachings of thepresent invention,mavcompriseafbase i'zl preferabl-y consisting .of a flat; plate membermien serves to sustain a full load quick. starting electric; torque orpr pulsion-.-

i casing platetea-1L1 V tator; shaft ,33. .th

induction :typeimotor 12. The electric motor is, in thi'ssinstanoe;mended with base flanges 13 1" that are perforatedtoreceive threadedstuds 14;

therethrough to seenrelymount the motor I2 to the base I l, *The motor12 is preferably though not essentially of the self-starting I torquetype whichstarts ofi at full speedxapproximating 1-756 R. P. .M. Asshowmthe, motor 12 has an arme-' tureshaft 15 extending throu h theforward 1 motor casing plate l6 which provided with a bearing I] .fDrjournalled support of the .armatureshaft 15, The bearing His disposedconcen-' trically of the armatureshaft bore; provided in the motorcasing end w ll His.

=The forward motor casing wall- 15 oithe motor I! is'preferably providedwith outwardly ck tending cylindrical gear housing E9 of corre- Vspending size'for axial attachment thereto by means of suitablefastenerssuch as stud bolts; In order to preclude-oil, and other toreignsub stances from escaping-beyond the gear housing 59, the forwardperipheral edge "21 is threaded as at 22 toreeeive a retainerplate.23'theneover.- To 7 I this end, the packing retainer plate .23iswprovided' with a p r nheral flange 24 that is inwardly threaded as at25' to -eng-age the correspondinsly threaded peripheral edge 22 of; thegear housing '19 to retain packing :rnaterial '25 therebetween.

It will be noted-that the Stud holts fzo extend through the-motorcasing'plate I5 1 0 en age-the gear housing I9, thereby retaining heparts in assembled rel t on to ,mnfinethe ub icants an the @agitatoroperating 'llmen alities' ;as will 0 ppear more fu ly-he e 't-Q U'L- s nousms I9 i in this ;instanoe", provideo with-1a pair of verticallyaligned bores 2! and 28 extending through the tortvar d wall thereottocommunicate with inwardly countrsunkieoesses Hewitt} that receive ballbearirsg raeewayfl-J and 32,. -Thl upper bored? is in axial alignment,with ormature shaftbor 18 provided in the end motor t uppo t a the t rel e e f th erm tur vshaft shaft IE to rotate in unison therewith, I

; v. her.a i ato .'shat itlnisgio m ted in,

w eea h u in re to re e v "a s ur see 38 corresponding in size and shapewith therspur gear" 54 .for meshing alignment therewith Within thegearing housing 159. *As" "shown-the 'lomerspln gear 38'is providedWithin -.erila'rged hub fli-extendingaxially thereirom==to"reoeive a pin40- 9 I radiallythe'rethroilghiforattachment to theegii tater shaft '3?proximate to-the extremi'r/y M i The agitator shaft extrennty 4+ isiou'rthereof. I H V nal led in a ba-ll bearing raceway i2 confinedin arecess 43 provided in the end wall of the-motor I v easing boss l6,thereby supporting the agitator shatter-"3,3 anditljin. 'vertioal spacedrel tion.

While the idire ctionsogf rotation is indicated Les, clockwise andscounterlc'lookwisefor the'j top and bottomagitator members {figures13=and'=11,Are-j v -spectively), it should bei-observed that theseblades to, be hereinafiterdes ribed mayheprol w t QPw el urN d?hel Q QW'QPr v erminates in an integral a mered-en r ed h bfifi t r-thereli-therein. pin 1', 8.6 extends rradially'through .,the- -ge a tr hub,-3:5 to v effect the eonngeetio,n thereof with the armature dictates ofcommercial practica i 'A mixer housing l i, 1 intliis instance i'st'antially 'numerali'sdesign to 1 avoid "space or inefie'ctivemixingareasg is provided fori mazes posite directional 'operation dependinguponi the 7V V T all "(16 wardl'y' ofethe -packing' retainer plate23*forgat 1 i tachment thereto. 1 To this endj' the'mixer hous-' mg isprovided with a peripheral flange 45 that through. Should commercialpractice "so me has" a finished :ena surface 'tocontact ith'e'fin- V.ished Iac'eiof the plate 23 for'atta'chmentthereto by means of threadedstuds which extend theretate; the mixerlhousing -M'may' be fo'rmedintegral with the retainer plate 23-so1 asto avoid-them;-

cessity of providing a threaded a ttachme'nt therebetween through themedium of any fasteners 41. The forward wall 48' off they-mixerhousir'i'g e 64 is formed integral therewith toprovide ?a'dif;- chargeorificetl) proximate to the bottom-Swat the mixer housing 44an'd-subjstantially-in axial alignment with the lower agitatorshaft- 3 fA closure'plateil has a'boss '52 formed thereon to enable the pivotalmounting thereof tolithe tunitsil'l.i'downwardl'y'llintottheimixmgchamber 4t, by rrie'ansi'of-sitsattachment lto zvastopbracket' 63. .v'lheiibracket fifl has; 'ana'rm-69which terminates Kiri a bearing 110:; f'Ihei bracket arm bearing: 19 isaitt'a'chedito the upperl extremityof a red Tl which :is vertically:recipr'o'cable linianrxupstanding guide bottom-flangeJ3;whichuisanchored toi the base ipl'atei ttlvbyifmearis lofsizthreadedstuds-1'14. -The 1 "guide sleeveJPTZlis 'supported midway ofiits ven:tica'l 'lengthby {meansof horizontal. bracket plates 115 and 1.13 l(Figures *1 "a nd 18)? which; "are {welded thereto atitheir extremities18; respectively.

forward wall 43 by 'mean's 'of' a studi53 so-as to afford the openingand closing-thereof in the 1 i plane ofth'eexternalsurface oftheforward-mixe ing wall 68'. Another'boss fie is form'ed onithe end of theclosure p1ate 5|insubstantiallysymmetrical arrangement with thefoppositepivotal mounting 005552 to providelfory-the' formation of a handlemember:.55 thereon -The -handle 7 member 55 isi-preferably though notessentially 59. The substantially ea shaped mixerhousingi'fl ispreferably provided with an intake orifice-59 that extends upwardlyirrthe' fo'rm eta-hopper-Bil having a substantially cylindricalconfiguration whose interior is sized to correspond with the con- Inconsequence thereof; theiclosure' 5| serves asa valveforthedischarge'mixer housing orifice 'ing a part of or suitably attachedas at 51.170 the 'The lother"extremity' 'w or. the xbracket' plate 15,

- is-"o'fisetfor. attachment-to. a vertical "bracketffil i!anchored.asatSItojthe 'baselplatell. T

1 ;.-.=:fl he': bracket ;pla-te1 ll 6 has lavisubstantially shapedportio'rr fll providing confronting-farms pairs: ofTcohfrontingbosses'i85%81 and" $81-$88,

stub shafts-'9! rand 92 thatiai'e' journalled therein rztorsupportawspur' i'gear and pinion 93;-.-94

and vspur gear: 351 thereon for'rotation therewith.

: 1-The.'jspuri'gear *3* meshes with asverticalrack r 96; attached "to?the vertical 'rrodf'l In by means f rivet pinsrehlFigure 13.)fiitoJelevate and lower the ieeding. plunger '65 operatively' connectedtherewithflilThe'*rack;.'95"projects "through" a vertical slot: l8provided along: the length ofthe :guide sleeve" The. spur gear '93 isrotated through theLpiniori-Qli "on: shaft 9 I that rotates responsiveto the' zrotation'pf-tm sp'urflgear 95 that-meshes withjthe-pihibnngear94; iRotation 10f ithe spurfgear B5 :is efiected' 1bythe shaft 92thateextends through ithe "front "wall 99 ofa housing I till. i Thehousing .1 G0 is complemental toxthe base plate llI.f"'A lever "lilliisfixed to the exteriorly accessible z-extremity g or the: shaft Y 92iformanual' rotation to raise and ilow'er the feed figurationoo'f thefrozen substance unit or'bar' l0 for reception therein. The mixerhousingcfl and the hopper 6E! arepreferably of comparatively thin sheetplate construction to'minimize the heat 7 described supra v1. V. V

Thezlower end BEJOfthefe'eding plunger is. v '0 capacity thereof andto-provide better thermal conditions for the treatment offrozensubstances which should lose the least possible cold thereto.

In the presentembodiment, the intake hopper Bil extends upwardly and'issomewhat larger-in cross-sectionand longer than the predetermined sizeof the frozen substance unit l8 of pre jformed shape that is laterallyinserted therein 'by lodgement on a side wall doorifil. V The door Gilis pivoted as at E2 to comprise, a complement of an opening 63 in thehopper 60. i The door--61 is'impelled by a spring 84 ;to normally closethejhcpper wall opening 53 and to effect displacement ofithe unit 'lllinto the interior; of .thehopper till for feeding into the mixer housing44 by means-of a plunger 65. The plunger. 65 -is.somewhat;small- 7- erin dimensional extent than "the: interior ofpthe intake hopper Eli, butcorresponds in'shape therewith to provide-an arcuate'bottomfificonstitut- :1

ing a closure member conforming to the-"contour of the top regionof themixing'chamber M. The

plunger 65 win: so'mewhat iless -than one shaft revolution owing toithetrain of gears-93+94 f ,arcuately-z'concaveshape so as to? correspondwith the i exterior: contour its a top =1 converter member :Ifl-lmount'ed' on the shafti3'3 within. the mixer housing 'M,1:thereb'yaffording a minute clearance therewithl'iwhen "its top mixing clo-.'sure :plate' 56 "which is the bottom of the feeding plunger 65.1"Itwill thus be apparent thatJthe preformed, se'lf sustaining andform-retaining frozen asubstance Zunit D can be flipped by the .dODI'I5linto the hopperfilllfor'ifeeding 'displace ment "into the mixer housing.Miby means "of the plunger '65that *fofc'e'sthe frozen lsubstance intothe'path. ofjth'e top sharp comminu'ting member Al 02 that cooperates:with at lower agitator member l-llfiicorresponding in" generalcir'culancontour ,withithe sharp-edged memberrlez as will appear morefully hereinafter; This feeding is accomplished; bythe rotation of;thellever l 0 I. I

#In order-to effectively and morevspeedily con vert the" 1 frozen.selfesustaining; and form-re tainin'g edible unit lfl into-a fiowableplastic mass without k irripairment toi the' overrun there --unitcdisplaoingahopperi: door 6 I '1 adcurved lip -61 rat itsiupperiedge toprovidea convenient finger *engagingmembertoeefiectiitszopening,displace- 1 i -me'nt against tlieui'geoithespringfifl, l' v V 'l'he plunger Bi -serves to feed a or displace theshould commercial practice so dictate.

I mum refrigeration loss.

I as are helicularly. Y shaped; ;The atop isom- -minuter member ,iflicom-prises two blades 1104 vand I85 shaped"substantialiysinrthe form ofa 1 n helix to comprise circumierentially spajcedlcuttersl In the"present-embodiments-thesupper comminuter member. 102 Figure:-;1;3.)J;has its blades IM and Iflioi helicular'shape secured tovertical end members "timid-H11. provided :with tubular aligned bossesvi and. 10.9 whichcre sized to fit oyertheagitator. shaft 33; 'A sshown,

the tubularbosses :L98and108 are provided'with diametral apertures M toreceivepinsi there- 1 throughv to client theattachment ofthe uppercomminuter member JM-Lto. the shaft 33 for I rotation therewith in :aclockwise direction -(viewed from Figure 14) Z-The agitators IOZ-and I03may becproyidedxwithra-bayonet type slot connecticnrather'than thepinsprescribed herein so as to 'betreadfly removablefor cleansinTheblades Inland-111i ofthe: agitator- IIlZ are shaped toprovidegightshand' helixes spaced substantially 180 apart for" permanentattachlmenttoithe vertical fifldfIIlBlIlbI-ZIS'IQS and] 01.

' The helioular blades 11M and 185 may :and, in'

the embodiment 'lmownFigures and 11 to '16,

are provided with a compound reverse, curve to present aisubstantialhr scross-section with the outer. edges ,I II and H2- ground or otherwiseshaped to present-l. knife sharpness for ,efiectively cutting (and lrapidly comm'inuting the edible frozen substances which preferablythough not. essentially is ,initiallyin afr' ozen. solid state The"lower agitator 'andbeater I03 is shaped to correspond with "theupper-agitator I02 with mice-the space requirements therefor as well asto" more effectively comminute, mix, agitate, beat and. convert. the;initially solid substance with which the mixer housing wllis charged,

in and advantageouslyimpartia sqmsmeaa: hcmoeeneousdiowable.plastic(mass-harm: creasedoverrurr, if :yaried at albtheupnerlcomminuteragar-and. the lower? agitator-1 or heater properoverrun thereinandflthe-desired uniform smo th texture: -';1his:is effected within -ashort 1 I interval of, as :1ow as six seconds so -thatlthe re,-

intoa substantially plastic state. The cooperaticn of the. plunger- 65with the sharp edged upper comminuting member. N2, is eifeetive inrapidly eflecting'the 'conversionwith the mini- In the lower beaterqoragitator I83; the forward edge H5 and! of:the'hlades H3 and H4 are;comparatively blunt so asatoeiiectively agitate; and beat the substancein cooperation. with the upper comminuter or converter member I02. Toreduoesthe body of the metal from whichthe mixerhousing ll '15 formed ofsheet material soaswto' eliminate to at least minimize the coldabsorption from the edible substance In. To this 1end, .the mixerhousing 44 is provided with comparatively thinjwalls that tend toapproach each other'between the upper and lower agitator shares: and3'!" to provide substantially V- shaned" horizontally confronting.intermediate sections. HT and H8 (Figured) presenting a substantiallyfigure 8% share that does not present dead areas, :from a. mixingstandcln conscquencathcreofntha upper'and lower mrtionsloiz the.v mixerhousing fl conform substantially with the-generally circularcontour ofthe, upperand lower-ucomminuter and beater ll- I li llcspcctiwlyl as toeffectively produce suitin product willbe-cold and yet flowablefordischarge responsivetothe influence oi the'lower agitatororbeaterJDSdhto a receptacle such sea ass. forzccns'umption with theaidqof atutensil such as a spoon. To procure; the desired overrun 1 in:the converted substance, the i-bh-des;

I04+Ifl and: 1I3 I of, the membersIIlZ'and I03, respectively; shouldbespaced from the walls of the housing. 44 for at least a; to 1% of an 7inch depending upon thesize, capacity p ed of these instnmientalities. 1I h The irozen self-sustaining and form-retaining I I0 ispurposelylconverted 1 into a coidflowabletplastlc mass ratherthan aliquid in order to retainthe desired overrun of at least seventy percentand to.enablethe consumption with a p on and" to provideamo'redelectable product iroin a aonsumptionstandpoint. I The loweragitatoror beater I 83 is provided with :end members M9 420 having:axially: tubular bosses HI and 122 for attachment. to the lower agitatorshaft 7 7 by means. of plns'extending through apertures I23 therein,thisfb'eing accomplished in a manner similar to' thatdescribed inconnection with the upper comminuter I02.

Thehousing or. shell lilflis preferably of orna mental designandappearance, it being a complement of the base II to enclose theinstrumentalities describedcsupra with the. exception of the. entrantdoors 5i communicatingwith the hopper filliandxthe valve dischargeorifice" and their auxiliary parts. Suitable louvres I24 are openingsprin'gftype is mounted in the wall of the housing 109 to initiate thefull load operation of themutor l2 andcontrol the source of powerthereto when the hopper 60 has been charged.

with the plastic-substance IO. In consequence thereof, the current drainon themotor I2 will be extremely high and perhaps constitute a momentaryoverload sodas to energize a single throw relay switch I28 (Figure 21)connected to the power line. I29-I29' and the switch I21 to close.the'circuit to the electric motor I2 after the selfopening switch lllhas been released by the attendant.

The relay 128 is provided with a coil designed to pull anarmature I30 ata fullload that will average or approximate 900 watts for a quarterhorsepower motor l2 operating at substantially 1750 R. P. M.- This loadcontinues until the refrigerated mass I 0 has been'fully comminuted bythe upper rotating member 102' for transmission to the lower agitatorbeater I03'to effect the conversion-thereof into the desired plasticccnsistency attwhich time the motor I2 has a power drainof'substantially 3G0 watts for 110 volt A; C.

motor;v At this moment when the consistency of the initial plastic massI8 is 'reduced'to a plastic state at the desired overrun, the relay cell128 is such as to release the armature I39 at this'current drain so asto break the circuit through confront ing terminals til and I32, thesebeing supported I33 and the armature I 3! y a spring bracket forinsulated mounting on the frame I34 and armature I3B',respectively.-'

The armature I30 is pivoted about afulcrum 35 in the path of a corei36'of the relay coil';I28 to contact the armature I30 and irnpar'tacouni switch I45injseries with the main wirelead I29 ter-clockwisemovementthereto (viewed from Figure 21) when the-relayfcoilrl28 hasibeen Iti and. I32 from contact with each other-to open the circuit anddeenergize the motor- I2,there"- by indicating when the initial'refrigerated'mass ID has been converted to its proper plasticconsistency through this automatic motor contro'l.

In order to effect the discharge of theplastic substances after themotor I2- has become deenergized, another switch I38 havinga resilientlymounted pole'lfiiltherec-n (Figure 3): is connected I to the power lineI29 l29'toflcutiri the motor" !2 responsive to openingthe valve Thevalve 5I is openedby displacement in acounterclockwise direction(viewedfrom Figure 3) in iconjunction with its mounting pintle 53, it"isto be noted the valve pintleEiS is" provided with a trip I46 which isrotated with the pintle 5-3 and valve 51 inthe path of the" resilientlymounted. 1

switch pole I39 to open the switch- I38 when the valve 5| isdisposedover the discharge opening d9. When the valve 5| isdisplace'cl from thedischarge housing opening d9, however, the cir-f cuit is'closed ahead ofthemanual switchIZ] and relay switch I2 8, thereby enabling thedischarge of the plastic mass In after'it-has been properly converted tothe desired consistency for discharge into a receptacle suchas a glass,ice'cream cone, other type of container responsive to the action of theloweragitator memberfidj In order that the consiste'ncymf the plasticmass Ill maybe still further changed or adjusted by-the operator afterthe relay switch I23 has opened and while the valve}! is still closed, amanual switch MI is placed in parallel with the switch I38. The switch I38 has one of its terminals connectedto the power linejextension I29that is electrically connected to one of the terminals of the motor mritime main wire line to close the circuit to the power source when thefeedplunger 65 is in operativepo'sition toclose 'thehopper opening163.This insures against injury to the attendants finger wor-hand inthat theswitch button I52 will protrude into the hopper 60 through the apertureI44 to break the motor circuit through the switch I and precludeenergization oflthemotor I2in the event the feed plunger 65 is in itsextreme elevated position'in thehop-per even though the man ual switchIE1 or valve switch I38 of: both" are closed; The. entire circuit iscon'trolled-byineans of a double pole-single throw lineswit'ch I lE inseries with the main wire leads' I'29-I 29,.

This insures the utmost safety in the operation of the instrumentalitiesdescribed supra, and .af- 7 fords the automatic shut-01f whenthepower'has reduced to a predetermined limit" calibrated and determined:by the loadon any particular motor -I2 when the proper conversion of themass It! to the desiredplastic consistency has .been effected by themembers Ill2--Ill3. It is to be noted that the switch M5 and-actuatorbutton IdZ-JM are readilyremcvable 'as' a unit to permit thehopper iillto be effectively cleansed. In the present embodiment, the'relay switchcoil I28 is provided with an adjustable resistor'element l ifi (Figure'9): that enables a variation at which the relay switch I28 will cut-outthe motor I2 depending upon the requirements ofcommercialpractice andthe particular substances that are being'convertedj or processed in themanner described herein. 1 1 Thisadjustment enables an attendanttouniformly produce the desiredv consistency "even though there may bevariations in compositions.

529' is connectedto thaother terminal thereof (Figure 9). Now, then, inorder to preclude the motor I2 to be energized whenthe feed plunger. hasbeen elevated substantially; above the The switch terminalbutton aegisdisposed in the path of the plungeffidtobe displaced out. wardly whenthe latter is position'edto close the door opening 63 of the hopper 50inforcing the edible refrigerated unit I I53 downwardly into the path ofthe rotating comminuter "102; When the stitch button I42 is" displaced''outwardly or the hopper Gil-through the aperture "I44, the switch I45is closed; The switch ldii is attached to the'hopperfii! (Figure 10) inthe path of the actuator-button M2. Lead wires connect the stainlesssteel sheet members.

to assume a helicular. convolute form with their It should'beobservedthat the initial refrigerated edible substances Ill maybe of anydesirediflavor and the proper portion of flavor extracts and preferablyfresh fruits such' as strawberries, bananas, raspberries, andotheringredients of this character included that" are commonly found infrozen confections such as ice cream to afford the proper tastevariations to meet all purchase demands and individual tasterequirements. This is provided'for at the factory and ea'chvendor canbe-supplied with a supply of properly varied and proportionedfrozenunits Iii for conversion into a plastic freeze with instrumentalities ofthe type described.v x c I The modified type of agitator members I92 andI03" are shownin Figures 15 to 20. In this the upper comminuting member.I92: are preferably though not essentially constructed fromflatextremitiessdisposed at an approximate angular spread to procure thebest results. The forwardedges II I and H2 of the blades IIlQ'-I05',respectively,- are ground to knife sharpness so as to effectivelycomminute the frozen units II] responsive to the counterclockwiserotation thereof (viewedfromFigure 17); In this embodiment,

a bearing I08 is. carried by a diametrically disposed end member H1 5thatis welded or other- -wise attached to the blades llld"lil5 inwardlyof their forward extremities (Figure 15) to per- 'mit the forward endsto accommodate a housing surface cleansing plate l il.

The housing cleansing scraper "blade" Ml is ground to knife sharpnessonopposite forward halfedges thereof as at I48 and'I 39(F'igure .17) toeffectively remove. any, and all substancesad- These are curved Ihel'ing to the wall of the hopperand to :throw such: inwardly in the,path of the blades l:0'--t05. Thus, the end wall to of the: housing Mwill bemaintained free from excess adhering substance 'andlfurthercomminuting operation is effected on otherwise waste substancestoinsure'their eventual transfer downwardly into the lower agitator member103 for eventual discharge as will appear more full-yghereinafter,

- that both edges H5'-Hfi' of the lower blades l I3 I:'M' are rounded ordull rather than sharp as specified for the upper comminuting memberHi2. ,This results in a more effective beating actiont'imparted bythelower member lfld-"gto the substances that are previouslycomminutediby theupper member Hi2; Y V

In this instance, the end membera'lzfi' carrying the shaft bearing I22is disposed inwardly of the forward edges of'the blades ll-3,ll i' in amanner described in connection with the-upper end member Hi2. Theforward extremities of the lower blades I l3--| [4 are also providedwith an ejecting blade I41 having its opposite rearward half edgesground to knife sharpness as at H8 and M9, these scraping against theend surface near the discharge opening 49 of themixing chamber so thatthe lowenmember lilyis more effective in discharging the last portion ofthe substances through .the valve opening 49 and rendering the housing54 self-emptying. The lower agitator member I 83' is also provided withan end plate H9 carrying the bearing l- 2l to contact the rear housingwall 44', and the opposite edges thereof are ground as at I58 to removeand throw the substances forwardlythat may otherwise adhere to the rearhousing. wall 454, thereby effecting the eventual discharge throughjthevalved housing opening 49/. It will be apparent, therefore, that withthe modified comminuting and agitator members I02" and ms, respectively,more effective self-cleaning operation is obtainable.

Various changes may be ment of the invention herein specifically: de-

scribed without departing from the invention or sacrificing any of theadvantages or features thereof and nothing herein shall be construed aslimitations upon the invention, its concept or structural embodiment asto the whole or any part thereof except as defined in the appendedclaims.

I claim;

1. In a device for processing normally liquid substances frozen to asubstantially solid'state, the combination with a feeding chamber-forreceiving a preformed unit of frozen substances chamber against. saidagitator means, said plasmade in the embodi .ticizing: chamber beingsized to be substantially filled by the plasticized substances resultingfrom the preformed unit of frozen substances responsiveito the operationof said agitator means to control the airoverrun in the resultantproduct, and valve means associated with said plasticizing chamber tocontrol the, discharge of the plasticized substances therefromresponsive to substances propulsion by said agitator means.

2.--:In a device for processing normally liquid substances frozen to asubstantially solid state, the combination with a" feeding chamber for.receiving a, predetermined charge of frozen substances conformingsubstantially tothe capacity thereof, a plasticizing chambercommunicating with, said feeding chamber, said plasticizing chamberbeing sized to be substantially filled by I the; plasticized substancesresulting from. the we formed unit of frozen substances responsive tothe; operation of said agitator-means to, control the air overrun" inthe resultant product, a-plurality ofagitators mounted in saidplasticizing chamber, saidagitators having blades extending within asubstantially uniform small clearance distance from the interior ofsaid. plasticizing chamber, means for operating said-agitators so thattheir blades" traverse a predetermined path of travel, said plasticizingchamber being substantially S-shaped to conform to the extreme path ofagitatorblade travel,means for displacing the frozen substances fromsaid feeding chamher into said plasticizing chamber Within the path ofsaid moving agitator blades, said 'displacing means serving asa closurein its extreme position of displacement for said plasticizing cl'iamber,and valve means associated with said plasticizing chamber to control thedischarge of the plasticized substances therefrom.

3 In a device for processing normally liquid substances. frozen to asubstantially solid state, the combination with a feeding chamber forreceiving a predetermined charge of frozen'substances conforming to thecapacity thereof,,a plasticizing chamber communicatingwith said feedingchamber, a plurality of agitators having axial shafts arranged in acommon-plate one with another for rotation Within said plasticizingchamber, said agitators being disposed to: eifectively traverse theinterior of said plasticizing chamber within close clearance to theconfining walls thereof, means for relativelyrotating said agitatorsWithin said plasticizing chamber, means for displacing the frozensubstances from said feeding chamber into said plasticizing chamber,said displacin means serving as a closure in its extreme position ofdisplacement for said plas ticizing chamber, said plasticizing chamberbeing sized to be substantially filled by the plasticized substancesresulting from the operation of said agitators, and valve meansassociated with said plasticizing chamber to control the discharge ofplasticized substances therefrom.

, 4. In adevice for processing normallyliquid substances frozen to asubstantially solid state, the combination with a feeding chamber for receiving a predetermined charge of frozen substances conforming topthe'capacity thereof, a

plasticizing chamber communicating with said feeding chamber, agitatormeans in said plasticizs ing= chamber, said plasticizing chamber havingconfronting! confining walls shaped to conform substantially with theextremegouteragitator path of travel, said agitator means being arranged to cifectively traverse substantially the entire interior of saidplasticizing chamber within close proximity to the confining wallsthereof, means for operating said agitator means, means for displacingthe frozen substances from said feeding chamber into said plasticizingchamber, said displacing means having a face thereof conforming to theshape of said plasticizing chamber to serve as a closure therefor in itsextreme position of displacement'for said plasticizing chamber, saidplasticizing chamber being sized to be substantially filled by theplasticized substances resulting from the predetermined charge of frozensubstances responsive to the operation of said agitator means, and valvemeans associated with said plasticizing chamber to control the dischargeof the plasticized substances therefrom.

5. In a device for processing normally liquid substances frozen to asubstantially solid state, the combination with a vertical feedingchamber for receiving a predetermined charge of frozen substancesconforming to the capacity thereof, a plasticizing chamber disposedbeneath said vertical feeding chamber for communicating with saidfeeding chamber, a pair of revoluble. agitators superposed for rotationto said plasticizing chamber, said plasticizing chamber being shaped toconform substantially to the path of travel of said agitators whichextend within close clear ance therefrom, means for operating saidagitators, means, for displacing the frozen substances from said feedingchamber into said plasticizing chamber, said displacin means having itsfeeding end conforming to the shape of said plasticizing chamber toserve as a closure therefor in its extreme position of displacement forsaid plasticizing chamber, said plasticizing chamber being sized to besubstantially filled by the plasticized substances resulting from thepredetermined charg of frozen substances responsive to the operation ofsaid agitators, and valve means asso ciated with said plasticizing,chamber to control the discharge of the plasticized substancestherefrom.

6. In a device for processing normally liquid substances frozen to asubstantially solid state, the combination with a feeding chamber forreceiving a predetermined charge of frozen substances conforming to thecapacity thereof, a plasticizing chamber communicating with said feedingchamber, agitators arranged in line with one another in saidplasticizing chamber totraverse overlapping paths, said plasticizingchamber having confronting confining walls shaped to conformsubstantially with the extreme path of travel of the outer edges of saidagitators, said agitators having blades arranged to effectively traversesubstantially the entire interior of said plasticizing chamber Withinclose clearance distance to the confining walls thereof, one of saidagitators being directly in the path of said feeding chamber, the bladesof said last named agitator having sharp substance cutting edges torapidly comminute the frozen substances enteringsai'd feeding chamber,means for operating said agitators, means for displacing the frozensubstances from said feeding chamber into said plasticizing chamber,said displacing means serving as a closure in its extreme position ofdisplacementfor said plasticizing chamber, said plasticizing chamberbeing sized to be substantially filled by the plasticized substancesresulting from the predeterminedcharge of frozen sub-, stancesresponsive to the operation of all of said agitators, and. valve meansassociated with said plasticizing chamber to control the discharge ofthe plasticized substances therefrom.

' 7. In a device for processing normally liquid substances frozen toa'substantiall solid state, the combination with a verticalfeedingchamber for receiving a predetermined charge of frozen substanceconforming to the capacity thereof, a plasticizing chamber disposedbeneath said vertical feeding chamber communicating with said feedingchamber, a'pair'of revoluble agitators superposed for rotation in saidplasticizing chamber, the upper of said superposed revoluble agitatorshaving sharp frozen substance cutting edges and arranged with the loweragitator to effectively traverse substantially the entire interior ofsaid plasticizing chamber, means for operating said agitators, means fordisplacing the frozen substances from said feeding chamber into saidplasticizing chamber, said displacing means serving as a closure in itsextreme position of displacementfor said plasticizing chamber, saidplasticizing chamber being sized to be substantially filled by theplasticized substances resulting from the predetermined charge of frozensubstances responsive to the operation of said agitators, and valvemeans associated with said plasticizing chamber to control the dischargeof the plasticized substances therefrom.

8. In a device for processing n'ormally liquid substances frozen to asubstantially solid state, the combination with a vertical feedingchamber for receiving a predetermined charge of frozen substancesconforming to the capacity thereof, a plasticizing chamber disposedbeneath said vertical feeding chamberfor communicating with said feedingchamber, a pair of superposed revoluble substance agitator membersjournalled in said plasticizing chamber, said agitator member beinghelicular in shape, the upper agitator member having sharpsubstancecutting edges, the lower agitator member having dull substancebeating edges, meansfor operating said agitator means, means fordisplacing the frozen substances from said feeding chamber into saidplasticizing chamber, said displacing means serving as a closure in itsextreme position of displacement for said plasticizing chamber, saidplasticizing chamber being sized to b substantially filled by theplasticized substances resulting from the predetermined charge of frozensubstances responsive to the operation of said agitator means, andvalveameans associated with said plasticizing chamber to control thedischarge of the plasticized substances therefrom.

9. In a device for processing normally liquid substances frozen to asubstantially solid state into a preformed unit, the combination with afeeding chamber for receiving a preformed unit of the frozen substancesconforming to the capacity thereof, a plasticizing chamber communicatingwith said feeding chamber, agitator mean in said plasticizing chamber,means for displacing the frozen preformed unit from said feeding chamberinto said plasticized chamber and serve as a closure therebetween duringthe operation of said agitator means, electric power means for saidagitator means responsive to the insertion of said displacing means insaid feedingchamber, said plasticizing chamber being sized to besubstantially filled by the plasticized substances resulting from thepreformed unit responsive to the operation of saidagitator means, meansresponsive to the consistency of the substances insaid plasticizingchamber to render said power means inoperative, and valve meanscommunicating with said plasticizing chamber to control the discharg ofthe plasticized substances therefrom responsive to the operation of saidagitator means.

10. In a device for processing normally liquid substances frozen to asubstantially solid state into a preformed unit, the combination with afeeding chamber for receiving a preformed unit of the frozen substancesconforming to the capacity thereof, a plasticizing chamber communicatingwith said, feeding chamber, a pair'of'oppositely rotating helicularsuperposed agitator members journalled in said Dlasticizing chamber,means for displacing the frozen preformed unit from said feeding chamberinto said plasticizing chamber and serve as a closure therebetweenduring the operation of. said agitator means, electric power means forsaid agitator means responsive to the insertion of said displacing meansin said feeding chamber, said plasticizing chamber being sized to besubstantially filled'by the plasticized substances resulting from thepreformed unit responsive to the operation :of said agitator means,electrical means responsive to the consistency of the substances in saidplasticizing chamber to render said powermeans inoperative, and valvemeans communicating with said plasticizing chamber to controlthedischarge of the plasticized substances therefrom responsive to theoperation-of said agitator means.

11. In a converter device for units of normally v liquid materialsfrozen to a substantially solid state, the combination with a containerhaving an entrant orifice adapted to receive units of the aforesaidmaterial in a solid state, of severing means for progressively removingportions of the 4 solid unit,-; agitator means in said container, meansfor driving said severing means and said agitator means, said agitatingmeans serving to plasticize and discharge said material, and means forfeeding the solid units to said container-in the pathof said severingmeans,,whereby the solid units are reduced to a substantially plasticstate without" the addition of any liquid to'said container-. Y 12. In aconverter device for units of normally liquid materials frozen to a.substantially solid state, the combination with a containerhavin-g anentrant orifice adaptedto receive preformed units of the, aforesaidmaterial ina solid state, of helical severing means inlsaid containerfor pro, gressivelyremoving portions of the solid'unit responsive :tobeing displaced through the entrant orifice into said container,:agitator means in said container, means for driving said severing meansand said agitator means, said agitating means serving to vplasticize anddischarge said material, and means for feeding the solid :units'to saidcon! tainer in the path of said severing means, whereby the solid unitsare reduced to a substantially plastic state without the addition of anyliquid to said container. I

13. In a converter device for units of normally liquid materials frozento a substantially solid state, the combination with :a container,having an entrant orifice adapted to receive units of the aforesaidmaterial in asolid state, of severing, means for progressively removingportions of the solid unit, agitator means in said container, means fordriving said severing means and said agitator means, said agitatingmeans serving'to plasticize and discharge said material, valved outletmeans in communication with saidcontainer to control the dischargeeffected by said agitating means, and means for feeding the solid unitsto said container in the .path of .said .'sever-:

ing means, whereby the solid unitsare reduced to a substantially plasticstate without the addition of any liquid to said container. I

14. In a converter device for units of normally liquid materials frozento a substantially solid state, the combination with a container havingan entrant orifice adapted to receive preformed units of the aforesaidmaterial in a solid state, of severing means in said container forprogressivelyremoving portions of the solid unit, agitator means in saidcontainer, means for driving said severing means and said agitatormeans, said agitating means serving to plasticize and discharge saidmaterial, and means for feeding the solid units to said-container in thepath of said severing means, whereby the solid units are reduced-to asubstantially plastic state without the addition of any liquid to saidcontainer.

15. In a converter device for units of normally liquid materials frozento a substantially solid state, the combination with a container havingan entrant orifice adapted to receive units of the aforesaid material ina solid state of severing means for progressively removing portions ofthe solid unit, helicular agitator means in said container, valveddischargemeans in communication with said container, power means fordriving said severing means and said agitator means in opposeddirections, said agitating means serving to 'plasticize and dischargesaid material, means operative responsive to said valved discharge meansto render said driving means active for discharging the substance aftersaid last-named means has been rendered active, and means for feedingthe solid units to said container in the path of said severing means,whereby the solid units are reduced to a substantially plastic statewithout the addition of any liquid to said container.

16. In a converter device for units of normally liquid materials frozento a substantially solid state, the combination with a container havingan entrant orifice adapted to receive units of the aforesaid material ina solid state, of helicular severing means adjacent said entrant orificefor progressively removing portions of the solid unit, helicularagitator means in said container below said severing means, means fordriving said severing means and said agitator means in opposeddirections said agitating means serving to plasticize and discharge saidmaterial, means for rendering sa'id driving means inactive nespon-siveto a predetermined load thereon governed by the consistenzcyof theagitated substances, and means forfeeding the solid -.units to saidcontainer in the :path of said severing means, vwhereby the solid units(are reduced to a substantially plastic state-without the additionof anyliquid to said container.

.17. In a converter device for units .of normally liquid materialsfrozen to a substantially solid state, the combination with a casing, ofa pair of superposed revolvable'. members journaled in said casing; oneof said members adapted :to progressively'sever'portions of the solidunit and the other member adapted to beat the substance removed by thefirst member, power means 'for rotating said members at high speed,there being a discharge orifice in said casing substantially alignedwith the beating-member, a closure removably associated with saidorifice .to :controll discharge thereth-rough responsive to the m tionof said members, andmeans' for feeding the :solid ."units to saidcasing-in the, path :of said severing member, whereby the solid unitsare reduced .to a substantially plastic state without the addition ofany liquid to said container.

18. In a converter device for a predetermined serving of normally liquidmaterials preformed into a solid unitary state, the combination with acasing, of a pair of superposed revolvable substance engaging membersjournaled in said casing for progressively removing and beating portionsof the preformed solid unit, power means for rotating said revolvablemembers in opposed directions at high speed, there being a dischargeorifice in said casing substantially aligned with the lower of saidmembers, a closure removably associated with said orifice to controldischarge therethrough responsive to the rotation of said members, andmeans for feeding the solid units so said casing in the path of saidsevering member, whereby the solid units are reduced to a substantiallyplastic state without the addition of any liquid to said container.

19. In a converter device for a predetermined serving of normally liquidmaterials performed into a substantially solid unit, the combinationwith a casing having an entrant orifice adapted to receive units of theaforesaid material in a solid state, of a pair of superposed revolvablesubstance engaging members journaled in said casing for progressivelyremoving and beating portions of the preformed solid unit, power meansfor rotating said revolvable members in opposed directions at highspeed, there being a discharge orifice in said casing substantiallyaligned with the lower of said members, a closure removably associatedwith said orifice to control discharge therethrough responsive to therotation of said members, and means for feeding the solid units to saidcontainer in the path of the upper of said rotatable members, wherebythe solid units are reduced to a substantially plastic state without theaddition of any liquid to said container.

20. In a converter device for a predetermined serving of normally liquidmaterials preformed into a substantially solid unit, the combinationwith a casing having an entrant orifice, a feeding chamber communicatingwith said casing through said orifice and adapted to receive preformedunits of the aforesaid material in a solid state, a pair of superposedrevolvable members journaled in said casing, said members adapted tosuccessively remove portions of the solid unit, and plasticize theremoved portions in said container, power means for driving saidrevolvable members in opposed directions, said agitating means servingto plasticize and discharge said material, and means for feeding thesolid units from said feeding chamber into the path of said upperrevolvable member, whereby the solid units are reduced to asubstantially plastic state without the addition of any liquid to saidcontainer.

RUSSELL STOVER.

